Domestic Pets

Injury Guide

POISONING

Toxic substances or poisons - after entering / or applied to the body, will cause changes of varying degrees of severity depending on the type and amount taken in. In extreme cases the result can be fatal

CAUSES

There are various ways in which poisons can be taken in

INDIGESTION: Puppies and kittens tend to lick and eat everything they come across and find interesting

Even in adult dogs, this is the most common way in which they are poisoned

The process may be direct (the indigestion of plants treated with insecticides)

Or through the indigestion of mice or moles that have themselves been poisoned

It can happen that the ingestion occurs involuntarily, as in the case of poisonous substances present on the ground which may be walked through and ingested later when the animal cleans its paws

INHALATION: Animals can breathe in poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide from car exhausts or malfunctioning stoves, or atomized liquids being applied as insectide treatment

DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SKIN: Primarily burns from corrosive substances

WHERE THE EFFECT SHOWS

How and where poison will effect the animal can vary. The reaction of the poison may be local, as with caustic substances that cause injury at the point of contact, all over (i.e. systemic) after absorption or in an organ specifically affected by the poison

PREVENTION

The great number of poisonous substances used in the home as well as in the industry and agriculture means,there are many opportunities for poisoning, especially in animals allowed to roam free

The owner of a pet should be aware of the situations where poisoning could take place, both at home in the house and garden and out on walks, and take care to avoid them. Toxic substances should never be used or left in places where animals wander freely and could be poisoned by them

Store toxic house-hold substances out of the way of animals and use it only under close observation

ASSESSMENT

Diagnosing a case of poisoning is often hard and will need the confirmation of the vet. If you suspect that an animal has been poisoned by some product or plant, or if it is showing some of the symptoms, try to find out the following

WHAT HAS BEEN SWALLOWED OR INHALED ?

Check whether there are toxic plants in the house or garden, on balconies or terraces and what poisons may have been easily reached in wardrobes, domestic products not safely locked up

Try to find out if there has been any herbicides or insecticides sprayed on land,plants or refuse areas

Check to see if any bait or rat and mice poisons have been used in cellars, yards and gardens - ask gardeners, caretakers & neighbours

If you think you have found a possible source of poisoning, try to discover exactly what sort of poison is involved

WHAT AMOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN ?

This can sometimes be established by checking what parts of a plant have been ingested

or how much of a mixture is missing

or what the concentration of poison is a certain product - refer to original container

HOW LONG AGO IT WAS TAKEN ?

This is often hard to find out, unless the animal is caught in the act

Try at least to establish an approximate time

The more accurate these questions can be answered, the easier and more efficient the vet's task will be

TREATMENT

If you observe some of the symptoms that can be caused by poisoning, you should consult the vet at once

It is desirable to help the animal yourself if the poison has just been taken, that is to say in the last half an hour

Or if a vet is not available immediately

1. REMOVE THE ANIMAL FROM THE SOURCE OF POISONING

If the poison has been ingested, make sure no more is taken

After causing vomiting,

Rinse the animal's mouth out with water to wash out any residue before it swallows them

In cases where the animal has inhaled poisonous gases or vapour, carry it promptly into the open air

2. TRY TO INDUCE VOMITING ONLY WHEN

Measure to induce vomiting should be taken only under the following instructions

If the poison has been ingested

If less than 30 min have elapsed since it was taken

If the toxic substances has no irritating or caustic effect

3. HOW TO PROVOKE VOMITING

1. Concentrated tepid solutions of water and mustard or salt

2. In amounts depending on the size of the animal

3. A large crystal of washing soda

4. If the prodedure works - keep the vomit for the vet to examine

4. ANTIDOTES

These are drugs with specific actions and will usually be given by a vet

In cases of external corrosive burns of indigestion - first wash the affected area thoroughly with running water

Then use specific solutions according to the poison, either locally or by persuading the animal to swallow them for example

Water and Vinegar or Water and Lemon Juice to neutralize the action of alkalis (caustic soda,potassium hydroxide, quicklime etc.)

Water and Bicarbonate of Soda or Water and Soap (only externally) - to neutralize the action of acids (sulphuric etc)

If these are not available, use Water alone

Milk is used as an antidote for certain corrosives (e.g petroleum products) and heavy metal poisoning (lead, mercury etc). The fats in milk can favour the intestinal absorption of toxic substances used as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and other poisons soluble in fat. Indiscriminate use must therefore be avoided since it may possibly make matters worse

HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

Anti-freeze, Anti-rust solutions, Antiseptics

Bleaches

Coloured pencils

Deoderants,Detergents for clothes,washing up,diswashers

Dry-cleaning preparations

Fire-fighting foams

Fungicides

Glues

Hair Dyes, Hair removing creams, Hair sprays

Inks, Insecticides

Matches, Medicated shampoos, Metal polishes, Mothballs

Nail varnish

Paints, Paint & Varnish removers, Paraffin, Petrol

Refrigerants, Rodenticides

Shoe polish, Slug pellets, Stain removers, Soaps like washingpowders & dishwasher powders, Suntan lotions

Tar

Wax & other polishes, Weed killers, Wood preservatives

MOST COMMON POISONS

ACETONE: in Paint solvents

Symptoms: By inhalation irritation of bronchi and lungs. By ingestion vomiting, diarrhea, depressed breathing and heartbeat

ALPHACHLORALOSE: in Rodenticides

Symptoms: Weakness,anaesthetic effect. Lowered body temperature

ANILINE: Dyes containing it e.g in Coloured pencils / Pastel crayons / Paints

Symptoms: Vomiting, impaired breathing, Convulsions

ANTI-COAGULANT RODENTICIDES: in Rodenticides,Mole Killers

Symptoms: Spontaneous bleeding, blood in urine and faeces, Depression

ALPHANAPHTYL-THIOUREA: in Rodenticides / Mole Killers

Symptoms: Vomiting, Serious oedema of the lungs, Impaired breating

ARSENIC: in Rodenticides,Weed Killers, Paints, Wood preservatives

Symptoms: Vomiting,Diarrhea & stomach pains,Tremors, Cyanosis,Collapse of heart & circulation

BARBITURATES: in Sleeping pills

Symptoms: Depressed brain function, Coma, Depressed breathing

BENZENE: in Fuels,Solvents, Detergents

Symptoms: Vomiting,Convulsions,Collapse

CAMPHOR: in Mothballs, Medicinal products

Symptoms: Gastro-intestinal irritation, Nervous excitation

CARBAMATE: in Insecticides / Parasiticides

Symptoms: Tremors, unco-ordinated movements, Muscular spasms,Vomiting

CARBON MONOXIDE: in Burning of organic matter in enclosed spaces

Symptoms: Unco-ordinated movements, Weakness, Impaired breathing

CARBON TETRACHLORIDE: in Fire-fighting foams,Dry cleaning preparations

Symptoms: Serious damage to liver & kidneys

CYANIDES: in Rodenticides / Weed killers

Symptoms: Asphyxia, Coma, Swift death

ETHYLENE GLYCOL: in Anti-freeze

Symptoms: Gastro-intestinal irritation,Convulsions,Blocked kidneys

FLUORACETATES: in Rodenticides

Symptoms: Nervous excitation,Muscular spasms,Convulsive fits,Collapse of heart & circulation

FORMALIN: in Domestic & Industrial disinfectants

Symptoms: Serious Gastro-intestinal irritation, Collapse of heart & circulation

HEXACHLOROPHENE: in Soaps & anti-septic solutions

Symptoms: Vomitting, Diarrhea, Stomach pains, Liver & Nervous

LEAD: in Paints / Varnishes / Fuels

Symptoms: Acute poisoning, Gastro-intestinal irritation, Nervous symptoms excitation, Progressive Paralysis

MERCURY: in Fungicides / Weed-killers / Insecticides / Disinfectants

Symptoms: In acute form:Serious gastro-intestinal irritation,Stomatitis, Convulsions & Coma

METALDEHYDE: in Slug pellets / Solid fuel pellets

Symptoms: Nervous symptoms, Spasms, Tremors & Lack of Co-ordination

METHYLATED SPIRITS: in Solvent Fuels

Symptoms: Vomiting & Stomach pains, Nervous excitation, Convulsions

NAPHTHALENE: in Mothballs

Symptoms: Gastro-Intestinal irritation,Anemia & Jaundice

NITRATES & NITRITES OF SODIUM & POTASSIUM: in Fertilizers / Meat Preservatives

Symptoms: Vomitting & Diarrhea, Loss of balance,Tremors, Impaired breathing

NITROBENZENE: in Shoe Polishes & Dyes

Symptoms: Vomiting, Lack of co-ordination, Convulsions, Impaired Breathing

ORGANOCHLORINES: in Insecticides

Symptoms: Nervous Symptoms, Tremors, Spasms, Convulsions, Excessive Salivations

ORGANOPHOSPHATES: in Insecticides/ Parasiticides

Symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhea, Running Eyes, Excessive Salivation, Tremors, Spasms, Convulsions

OXALIC ACID: in Bleaches & detergents / Stain Removers

Symptoms: Oral irritation, Serious vomiting & Diarrhea

PERTOL: in Fuels

Symptoms: By inhalation - Coughing, Impaired breathing,Depression, by indigestion - Vomitting, Diarrhea,Nervous symptoms

PHENOL: in Disinfectants

Symptoms: Vomiting,Diarrhea,Liver Disorders

PHOSPHATES OF ZINC & ALUMINIUM: in Rodenticides / Mole killers

Symptoms: Gastro-intestinal irritation,Jaundice, Blood in Urine,Convulsions

QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS: e.g. benzalkonium chloride in Detergents / Antiseptics

Symptoms: Vomiting & Stomach pains,Collapse of heart & circulation

ROTENONE: in Insecticides / Parasiticides

Symptoms: Gastro-intestinal irritation

SOAPS: in Washing powders,especially dishwasher powders

Symptoms: Gastro-Intestinal irritation

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE: in Bleaches / Disinfectants

Symptoms: Irritation & Burning effects on Skin & Mucous Membranes

SODIUM PERBORATE: in Bleaches

Symptoms: Irritation & Burning on Skin & Mucous Membranes

SQUILL: in Rodenticides

Symptoms: Vomitting,Diarrhea, Weakness, Changes in Heart Rate

STRONG ACIDS: sulphuric,hydrochloric,nitric etc. in Cleaning products / Metal cleaners / Defoliants

Symptoms: Serious burns through contact or ingestion

STRONG ALKALIS: in Detergents for metals,Crockery & Glass

Symptoms: Serious burns through contact or ingestion

STRYCHNINE: in Rodenticides

Symptoms: Nervous excitation, Violent Muscular Spasms

TAR & DERIVATIVES: in Tarred roads / Roofs & Other surfaces / Preserved Wood

Symptoms: Gastro-Intestinal upsets, Liver damage

THALLIUM: in Rodenticides

Symptoms: Acute poisoning, Serious Gastro-Intestinal irritation, Conjunctivitis,Nervous symptoms

TRICHLORETHYLENE: in Stain Removers

Symptoms: Nervous depression,Collapse of heart & circulation,Liver & Kidney damage

TURPENTINE: in Paint & Varnish Removers

Symptoms: Gastro-Intestinal irritation,Kidney damage, Blood in Urine, Impaired breathing

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